Socorro dove facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Socorro dove |
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| Socorro dove collecting nesting material Netherlands |
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Leptotilinae
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Zenaida
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| Zenaida graysoni Lawrence 1871
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The Socorro dove (Zenaida graysoni) is a special kind of dove. It used to live only on Socorro Island, which is off the coast of Mexico. Sadly, the last time anyone saw a Socorro dove in the wild was in 1972. This means it is now considered extinct in the wild.
But there's hope! There are still some Socorro doves living in zoos and special breeding centers. There are about 200 of these birds, but maybe fewer than 100 are purebred. Scientists and conservationists are working hard to bring them back to their island home.
This dove is a close relative of the mourning dove and the eared dove. For a while, some people thought it was just a type of mourning dove.
Contents
What is the Socorro Dove?
The Socorro dove is a medium-sized bird. It looks a lot like other doves you might see. It belongs to the Zenaida group of doves. These birds are known for their gentle nature.
Its Island Home
Socorro Island is a small, volcanic island. It is part of the Revillagigedo Islands. This group of islands is in the Pacific Ocean. It is quite far from the mainland of Mexico. The island used to be a safe place for the doves.
Why Did the Socorro Dove Disappear?
The main reason the Socorro dove disappeared from its home was because of changes on the island. When new animals like sheep and cats were brought to Socorro Island, they caused problems.
New Challenges for Doves
Sheep ate the plants that the doves needed for food and shelter. Cats hunted the doves, especially the young ones. These new challenges made it very hard for the doves to survive. Eventually, they could no longer live in the wild.
Bringing Them Back Home
Even though the Socorro dove is gone from the wild, it is not completely lost. Many zoos and bird centers around the world have these doves. They are part of a special breeding program.
A Plan for Reintroduction
Scientists are carefully breeding the doves. They want to make sure the birds are healthy and strong. The goal is to release them back onto Socorro Island. Before this can happen, the island needs to be safe again. This means removing the animals that caused problems before. It is a long and careful process.
See also
In Spanish: Tórtola de Socorro para niños
